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How to Save a Life: Resources for Suicide Prevention Month

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to reducing stigma, raising awareness about suicide prevention, offering support to those struggling with suicidal thoughts, and remembering those we have lost to suicide. While many individuals and organizations (including Mental Health Partners) work to prevent suicide all-year-round, this month provides a collective opportunity for each one of us to create a healing environment where people feel accepted, understood, and hopeful.

Suicide prevention resources to know

If you or someone you know are struggling with thoughts of suicide, remember that there are resources available to you at no cost:

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 for free and confidential emotional support and resources. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Support is available for deaf and hard of hearing, and in various languages – including English and Spanish. Visit 988lifeline.org to learn more.
Colorado Crisis Services. Call (844) 493-8255, or text “TALK” to 38255, to get connected with the statewide behavioral health crisis response system offering mental health, substance use, or emotional crisis help, information and referrals. Support is available in Spanish. Visit ColoradoCrisisServices.org to learn more.
Walk-In Crisis Centers. If you prefer in-person support, Colorado has a network of Crisis Centers open 24/7 that provide counseling, support, resources, and referrals from trained professionals. Mental Health Partners operates the Walk-In Crisis Center in Boulder, and there are 8 other similar Centers located throughout the state.

Common suicide myths and misconceptions

MYTH: Talking about suicide increases the risk of someone dying by suicide.

FACT: The opposite is true! Talking about suicide actually reduces stigma and creates an environment where people can seek support and find help.

MYTH: You must have a mental health condition to be suicidal.

FACT: Everyday life stressors can develop into suicidal thoughts (such as relationships changes, jobs loss, grief, etc.).

MYTH: Suicide is unavoidable.

FACT: There are often signs and behaviors to look out for such as mood swings, substance misuse, and change in routines.

Common signs and symptoms of suicide

Talking about ending one’s life
Mood swings and behavior changes, including changes in routine
Substance misuse, such as increased alcohol and drug use
Withdrawing from hobbies, interests, and social activities
Giving away possessions and making post-life arrangements, such as writing a will

Please note that each person can express suicidal ideation and plans differently. Call or text 988 to speak to a professional if you are unsure about a loved one’s behavior. This free, and confidential, resource is available 24/7.

Suicide statistics that might surprise you

Suicide was the 8^th leading cause of death in Colorado in 2021. (Colorado State Fact Sheet)
Colorado ranks 6th in suicide deaths in the country. (Colorado State Fact Sheet)
In the United States, there were an estimated 1.6 million suicide attempts in 2022. (America Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
Men died by suicide 3.85 times more than women in 2022. (America Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
White males accounted for two-thirds (68.46%) of suicide deaths in 2022. (America Foundation for Suicide Prevention)

Suicide prevention trainings: what you can do

Statistics like these can feel overwhelming and disheartening. Fortunately, there are some simple – but lifesaving – actions you can take to be prepared to save a life.

Mental Health Partners and other mental health organizations offer a wide range of training courses designed to teach people essential suicide prevention skills. Many of these trainings are free or low-cost. At MHP, we also offer scholarships that are based on need, to ensure that cost is never a barrier (thanks to generous donations from community members, businesses, and local organizations.

Here are some of the courses we offer:

Introduction to Mental Health & Wellness. This is an introductory, 90-minute training to learn about what mental well-being and mental distress can look like, red flags to be aware of, how to support a person in distress and refer them to professionals, and strategies for us to take care of ourselves.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based training program that teaches people how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in teens and adults, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care if necessary. This 6–8-hour training provides the skills you need to initially support someone who may be experiencing a crisis or developing a mental health or substance use problem.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR). Just as people trained in CPR save lives, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. During this 90-minute training, you’ll learn how to identify suicidal behaviors and what to do to save lives through innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention tactics.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). In this 2-day interactive workshop, participants learn to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.

Visit our Training page to learn more.

It takes all of us to prevent suicide

Suicide Prevention Month is a great time to unite in creating a supportive, empathetic, and hopeful environment. By focusing on long-term wellness, reducing stigma, and educating ourselves, we can make significant strides in preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it. Remember, every action counts. Together, we can build a community where everyone feels valued and hopeful for the future.

We invite you to help us create a world where everyone feels safe, supported, and hopeful.